Elementary school complains to Cube about causing a ruckus with Hara-Junhyung dating report

After news broke out about the relationship between B2ST’s Junhyung and KARA’s Hara, Cube Entertainment received an unusual call from a disgruntled elementary school.

Reportedly, the label picked up a call from an elementary school’s representatives, who complained that the dating news wrecked their students’ ability to concentrate in class.

Representatives revealed, “We did not intend for news to get out like this, but news of their relationship had already been reported. We were quite surprised to receive a complaint from an elementary school. According to them, there were many students crying after hearing about the news. They asked us why we had to report the news and disturb the children from studying for their tests.”

They continued, “We know that there were a lot of shocked fans after reports were made and we believe we’re receiving such calls because both Junhyung and Hara have many young fans. The fans must have been very surprised over the emergence of a new idol couple.”

Source: allkpop 

KARA’s Hara & B2ST’s Junhyung confirmed to be in a relationship!

KARA’s Hara and B2ST’s Junhyung have been revealed to be dating!

On June 28th, Cube Entertainment announced, “They had a senior/ junior relationship until they began dating. They’ve been dating for about a month now. When Hara was going through some difficult times, Junhyung consoled her. Because of their busy schedules, they’ve only been able to go out to eat and other dating activities three times so far.”

DSP Media also announced, “They do have good feelings towards one another, but they’re still getting to know each other. It’s only been a month so far. Please watch over them for a bit more.”

An associate of the two revealed, “The KARA and B2ST members are all close to one another because they’ve been promoting around the same time. They depend on and look to each other for consolation. Ahead of their Japanese comeback, their relationship has gotten a lot deeper through support meetings.”

The two were caught confidently dating on the early morning of June 9th, the day Junhyung returned from B2ST’s Japanese concert. After drinking coffee at a take out cafe in Kangnam, the two drove around the area before parking near Junhyung’s home. For an hour, the two walked around the neighborhood and around the park before settling at the ‘Sky Park’ in Sangam-dong.

Seeing the two hold hands side by side was definitely a heartwarming sight for reporters on the scene. The two apparently used every spare moment in their schedules, as they met up again on the early morning of June 13th to walk around the back alleys of Hongdae.

What’s amazing is that they didn’t hide who they were at all. In the car, Hara would roll down the windows and stick her head out to observe the night view.

An associate of Hara’s explained, “Innocence is Hara’s charm. She may have begun promoting early, but she’s not affected by that at all and still manages to preserve her innocence. Yong Junhyung probably fell in love with her pure charm.” 

Source: allkpop

KARA, Jang Geunsuk, and SNSD ranks in Top 10 Oricon Monthly Chart

 

The power of the Hallyu Wave in Korea has been proven once again as three Korean artists have taken over the Top 10 of the Oricon Monthly Chart. KARA released their single "Jet Coaster Love" on April 6th and took 2nd place on the Oricon Monthly Chart with 172,329 units sold. 

Korean actor and singer Jang Geunsuk recently released his debut Japanese single "Let Me Cry" on April 27th, and topped both theOricon Daily Chart (1st and 2nd) and Weekly Chart (1st) upon its release. He takes 4th place on the Oricon Monthly Chart with 119,149 units sold. 

Girl group SNSD released their first original Japanese maxi single, "Mr. Taxi / Run Devil Run" on April 27th and ranked on the Oricon Daily Chart (2nd and 1st) and Weekly Chart (2nd). SNSD takes 6th place on the Oricon Monthly Chart and sold 100,461 units. They will be performing "Mr. Taxi" for the first time on TV Asahi's "Music Station" on May 13th.

Other artists that ranked on the Oricon Monthly Charts was FT Island with "Satisfaction" (released April 20th; 38,359 units sold).

Source: Koreaboo

The Pretty Member vs. the Member Guys Like

SNSD - Taeyeon (left) ; Yoona (right)

This may or may not come as a surprise, but in Korea’s idol world, the member sent out in the front as the “prettiest” isn’t always the one Korean guys dig. Let’s see what the netizens say about this.

Although slightly unfair and against the age-old saying that “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” often times, the entertainment management or even the idol girls themselves designate one girl as “the prettiest of them all.” But, as a part of the formula of girl idol groups, each member is given their own style so that every guy (in the world?!) can have at least one member that suits their fancy.

In Korea, it’s quite normal for everyday people to have an “ideal type” of guy or girl they would like to date or marry. When they choose their ideal, they actually choose a famous actor, model, or singer that fits their type and then give reasons, be it looks or personality.

Attentive netizens started noticing that a lot of idol fans don’t tend to choose the designated “pretty member” but lean towards a different member.

The most obvious example of this idea can be found in the members of Girls Generation (SNSD). Not only does Yoona think she’s the prettiest, no one seems to disagree with her either. In terms of raw talent, Yoona, unfortunately, is on the lacking side, in relation to her fellow members. It is said that SM left Yoona in the group because of her prettiness. Yet, in the general (male Korean) opinion, lead vocal Taeyeon is more “ideal” than Yoona. Why? Some guys like her voice. Some guys like that she’s cute and innocent-looking. Other guys liked how sweet she was in “We Got Married,” even though her husband wasn’t exactly handsome.

 After School - Ju-yeon (left) ; UEE (right)

Another example is in the members of After School, the girl group created from a dance team, suggesting that talent is the definitive factor for joining the group. Except one famous ulzzang (best face) managed to get in the group without a hitch. Ju-yeon first entered the popularity sphere as an Internet ulzzang, but now she is one of the many members of After School. However, she seems to not get too much love from the guys. During UEE‘s heyday with “You’re Beautiful” and some Cheom-cheoreom Cool soju commercials, the “honey thighs” idol got all the love. These days, other members, such as Nana, seem to be getting more and more attention from the guys. Either way, the “pretty member” isn’t getting the votes.

KARA - Goo Hara (left) ; Han Seung-yeon (right)

Also, in KARA, the ulzzang “pretty member” is doe-eyed Goo Hara, but guys find themselves liking the carefree, not-full-of-herself cuteness of Han Seung-yeon. The list goes on… In Secret, the pretty face is Han Sun-hwa, but guys tend to dig glamorous Jun Hyo-sung. In 4Minute, leader Jihyun is thought to be the prettiest, but guys usually choose popular Hyuna.

Maybe the entertainment companies should re-think the forceful injection of the designated “pretty member.”

Do you agree with the netizens that just because a girl is designated as the “pretty member” doesn’t mean she’ll get the guys?

SECRET - Han Sun-hwa (left) ; Jung Hyo-sun (right)

 4Minute - Jihyun (left) ; Hyuna (right)

source: popseoul

KARA records 1 million copies in album sales

KARA has recorded over 1 million copies in album sales, after only eight months in the Japanese music industry!

According to information revealed by Universal Music Japan on March 31st, KARA’s five albums – “Mister“, “Jumping“, “Girl’s Talk“, “Best Clips“, “KARA Best 2007-2010” – have sold a total of 1,080,000 copies in all.

“Girl’s Talk,” which was released last November, sold 430k copies so far and even ranked at the top ofOricon’s music chart for nine consecutive weeks after its release. “KARA Best Clip” DVD (released last February) and “KARA Best 2007-2010″ (released last September) sold 200k copies respectively. Meanwhile, “KARA Best Clip” managed to rank at the top of the weekly charts for two months in a row as well. As for the girls’ singles – “Mister,” and “Jumping” – they each sold 130k and 110k.

Im Jin Mo, a pop culture critic, commented, “After BoA and TVXQ, KARA is the first to surpass 1 million copies. As rookies who debuted only eight months in Japan, this is an astounding feat. I think the fact that they’ve created a position for themselves as Korean idols in Japan’s idol culture is a bigger achievement.”

KARA draw the praise of ‘godfather’ Terry Ito + 2011 continued success?

KARA has been earning the praise of Japanese celebrities lately, and were even previously acknowledged by gagman Gekidan Hitori, who complimented the girls’ friendliness through a news program.

More recently, the ‘godfather of Japanese broadcasting’, Terry Ito, praised KARA on an NHK New Year special program broadcast on January 2nd.

The program featured celebrities predicting the biggest figures of 2011, and  KARA was introduced with the statement, “After AKB48 ranked in on internet search rankings at the 2009 year-end, KARA followed by ranking first in the 2010 internet search rankings.  The two figures that have managed to rank in alongside AKB48 are K-pop singers KARA and SNSD.”

Terry Ito is a highly influential figure in Japan’s entertainment industry, and not only with producers, but has extensive connections into the culture and government sectors of Japan.

He further complimented the girls by stating, “When the girls make a mistake on the broadcast, they are very embarrassed and shy about it.  They’re different from Japanese celebrities.  Japanese celebrities think that they’ll get attention when they make a mistake, but such a notion does not exist with KARA.  They always try their hardest, and I think that’s the image that is appealing to the Japanese.  They’re very innocent and do not act fake at all.”

KARA has been consistently chosen as the stars to watch out for in 2011 all across Japanese news programs, and with the continued praise of Japanese celebrities, it seems KARA has certainly made a mark for themselves in the industry.

KARA wins K-Chart on Music Bank !

Music Bank is back once again with a fun and exciting show filled with amazing performances!

Besides the usual fare, there were comeback performances from IU, Younha, and Seo In Young, while After School returned with a Christmas stage for charity.

Brown Eyed Soul faced off against KARA (with Jumping song) for this week’s K-Chart, and it was the latter who picked up the K-Chart win tonight. Congratulations to KARA on their first win since making their return!

KARA’s fairy tale in Thailand

 

The members of KARA were in Thailand in October to participate in a photo shoot project. The theme was characters from a fairy tale going on an excursion, for which they were able to dress up in various costumes.